Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS)

Emergency Preparedness and Response Volunteer Opportunities

Once you and your family are prepared, please consider volunteering to help your community in the event of an emergency? Many volunteer organizations play vital roles in emergency response. They offer volunteer training and an opportunity to give back.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) - CERTs are community safety advocates and front-line assistants during large emergencies. Participants will attend seven classes over a three week period, meeting two nights a week with one all day Saturday or Sunday practical and test day.
Upon completing training, CERTs are able to identify and mitigate potential hazards in the home and workplace, help themselves and their neighbors until professional responders arrive, and participate in projects to enhance public safety within their communities.

American Red Cross - The National Capital Area Chapter of the Red Cross helps communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies at the local, state, national, and international level. The Red Cross seeks volunteers to help respond to community needs during a disaster.

County Animal Response Team - The Montgomery County Animal Response Team consists of dedicated volunteers, trained to assist Montgomery County in the event that pets need to be sheltered during an emergency. The primary goals of the organization include community education, training for members, and managing an animal shelter.
This group has opportunities for individuals of all ranges of skills from animal handling to accounting to teaching and beyond. Interested volunteers should contact CART at CART@montgomerycountymd.gov

MC ACS​ - The Montgomery County Auxiliary Communication Services (MC ACS) is a cadre of volunteer amateur radio operators who support public safety operations during emergencies. This group of dedicated volunteers provides direct support in supplementing emergency communication to the county’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Those interested in learning more about MC ACS operations are encouraged to visit their website: www.mcacs.net

Maryland Professional Volunteer Corps - The Maryland Professional Volunteer Corps consists of health care and community professionals ready to assist with disaster and emergency recovery during a declared emergency situation. The MPVC is a Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) administered by the State of Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Participants can choose whether they want to volunteer in Montgomery County or throughout the state.

Civil Air Patrol - Montgomery County has two CAP squadrons. The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Squadron welcomes teenagers and adults in a full program of air/ground search and rescue, leadership training, flight training, and more. The all-pilot Montgomery Senior Squadron contributes its skills primarily as instructors and search pilots. CAP assists local government in air/ground search and rescue operations as well as emergency communications.
For information on the Bethesda-Chevy Chase squadron, visit http://www.bcc-cap.org/
For information on the Montgomery Senior Squadron, e-mail rj.hawkins@comcast.net

Mid-Atlantic Dogs - Mid-Atlantic D.O.G.S. helps locate people in wilderness settings, suburban areas, and collapsed structures using tracking dogs. Members train with dogs at least one full day a week. Medium sized, working breed dogs such as rottweilers, german shepherds, and retrievers are commonly used.

Fire and Rescue Volunteer Opportunities - Montgomery County Maryland has a long and proud tradition of neighbors serving neighbors by volunteering at one of our many local fire rescue departments.
For more information about volunteering call 3-1-1

Citizen Corps Council - The heart of the Citizen Corps Council is in the community. Citizen Corps members are, at the most basic level, good neighbors.The Montgomery County, MD Citizen Corps Council (CCC) is part of the national initiative to bring together local leaders from community organizations, government agencies, the private sector, and volunteer programs to promote community preparedness and volunteerism. The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is the sponsoring organization. For more information on Citizen Corps Council, click here or email joe.corona@montgomerycountymd.gov.

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